Registration Now Open!
WHAT: A practical training intensive for all who desire to acquire or improve their skills as classical and Christian educators and administrators. Led by Mars Hill Academy teachers and administrators, attendees will delve into the classic methodology and leave prepared to meet the challenges of the upcoming school year.
WHO: Current CCE teachers, college students, MHA parents, and anyone wanting to learn more about classical, Christian education are invited to attend.
WHERE: Mars Hill Academy, 4230 Aero Drive, Mason, OH
Mars Hill Academy is conveniently located in Mason, Ohio with quick access to I-71 and I-75 and both the Cincinnati and Dayton airports.
Mars Hill has reserved rooms at Courtyard Cincinnati Mason. To take advantage of the discount rate of $149 per night, book your room by June 17 online or by calling 513-770-0771 and mention Mars Hill Academy Group Block.
COST:
Regular Price: $375 p/p; four or more/school: $350 p/p
Optional three-day evening classes: $60 each p/p additional
Online registration closes Friday, July 12.
Why Choose MHA for Your Teacher Training?
Years First in the Nation on Classic Learning Test
Teacher Leaders with Advanced Degrees
MHA's Years of Equipping Students with the Tools of Learning
Instructors’ Combined Years of Classical, Christian Education Experience
Meet Our Summer Training Team
Lisa Cunningham
After her time at Tennessee Temple studying music, Mrs. Lisa Cunningham turned to education at Shreveport Baptist University. Her favorite graduate classes at the University of Houston and Miami University were about children's literature. She now loves to incorporate music and stories into all her fourth grade classes. She is passionate about teaching children about God's word, His world, and the words we all use whether they are in English or in Latin.
Traci DeBra
Mrs. Traci DeBra's passion for teaching English grammar and composition began early in life. As a young girl, Traci delighted in reading literature, writing poetry, and crafting stories which led to her desire to help others find their God-given gifts and passions too. After years of instructing Rhetoric School English, Traci followed God's calling and spent twelve years teaching in the Grammar School at Mars Hill Academy. Mrs. DeBra holds a BA in English and Education along with a MA in Teaching of English from Miami University and considers herself a lifelong learner and educator. With over twenty-five years of classical Christian teaching experience, Mrs. DeBra has transitioned from serving as a classroom teacher into the role of a teacher mentor and educational consultant in the Classical Christian community.
Dr. Christopher Jero
Dr. Christopher Jero is a former violinist to whom God gave a passion for making Him known through the Holy Scriptures. Believing that there is no more intimate way of communing with God in Scripture than through the original languages, Dr. Jero pursued an M.A. in Old Testament and a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Cognate Studies. He seeks to be an instrument by which God inspires the same passion in his students as he teaches Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Biblical Hermeneutics, Greek, and Hebrew.
Dr. Laura Lucas
After working for more than 12 years in the consumer products and flavor development industries as a Ph.D. research chemist, Dr. Laura Lucas transitioned to the classroom to fulfill God’s calling on her life. She has taught general science in grades 3-6, high school chemistry, and coached the Science Olympiad teams during her 7 years at Mars Hill. Her classroom goals are to impart lifelong wonder, shape young minds to embrace the creative, orderly, and intentional design of the world in which we live, and make science accessible for all.
Mike McKenna
Mike McKenna was drawn to classical and Christian education from a nagging sense that something was missing. After earning his B.A. in Music Education and his M.A. in Christian School Administration, Mike served as headmaster of Christian schools for more than a decade. However, he felt that prayer, Bible class, and chapel weren't sufficient when it came to educating our children for Christ. Once he attended a seminar by Dr. George Grant on classical Christian education, he realized that Christian education was meant to be about becoming fully human in Christ. Mike has been headmaster of classical and Christian schools since 2000, and he has been headmaster of Mars Hill Academy since 2020.
Kayla Pollock
Mrs. Kayla Pollock teaches Logic and Rhetoric math and is passionate about displaying God’s truth, goodness, and beauty through His creation and mathematics. She earned degrees in both math and education from Butler University, then went on to earn a master's degree from American College of Education. Mrs. Pollock has had a call on her life to teach math since before fifth grade and has come to love and champion the Classical Christian model. Her love for mathematics is contagious as she shows her students how it reveals God's sovereignty, His creating and sustaining all things, and His faithfulness towards us to help us "think His thoughts after Him."
Andrew Stapleton
Andrew Stapleton devotes his time at MHA to discipling Logic and Rhetoric School students toward learning truth, living goodness, and loving beauty. He teaches in the areas of Literature, Humanities, and Theology; he also coaches the Varsity Soccer and Worldview Summit Student Leadership teams. He holds a B.A. in History and Christian Thought and an M. Div.
James Waldy
James Waldy is a lifelong educator who has been involved in classical education for 36 years. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Educational Administration, and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration. He has taught at every K–12 grade level and has served as either dean of faculty or principal in 27 of his 39 years in education. James serves Mars Hill Academy as the grammar school principal, dean of faculty, and astronomy teacher. Beyond the classroom he enjoys helping students develop varied interests in everything from archery and playing chess to throwing pottery and creating stained glass.
Natalie Walls
Drawing from her experiences as a former public school teacher and current classical, Christian educator, Mrs. Walls brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to integrating faith and education. Her training in education at Michigan State University (B.A.) and University of Cincinnati (Master's) fueled her passion for teaching and love for seeing children grow in knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.
Kathryn Wheeler
A lifelong lover of literature, Mrs. Kathryn Wheeler is thrilled to teach third graders at Mars Hill to love good books. With an M.A. in English from the University of Charleston, Mrs. Wheeler has taught literature and composition to many ages, from the university level to the elementary level. She adores the creativity and enthusiasm of her third grade students. She particularly loves teaching at Mars Hill because of the collective effort among the teachers to disciple the heart of every student.
What Attendees are Saying
"Well done, Mars Hill! I sense a genuine Christian presence here. Thank you for doing all the hard work to make this week a possibility for other schools."
"This event was done beautifully. I am richly blessed by the knowledge and wisdom gleaned by such seasoned educators. May God receive all the glory!"
"To assemble this high level of quality speakers from one school is highly impressive. You are attracting and developing extraordinary teachers."
"The speakers were very focused and helpful. I so appreciate the kindness and generosity of your staff in sharing both knowledge and resources."
"It was hard to decide which sessions to skip. They were all amazing, and I wanted to attend all of them."
"In addition to being extremely informative, this training was upbeat, encouraging, inspiring, and well run."
Highlights from 2023